To Homeschool Or Not to Homeschool - Now THAT is A Question

By Chris Bradshaw

Most homeschoolers I know readily admit that homeschooling is not for
everyone. But is it for your family? If you are trying to decide whether
homeschooling is right for you, read on. I remember well the stress of
trying to make the "right" decision several years ago. The choices
seemed so life shaping for both my children and me. And they are! It's
really worth doing your homework to figure it out as well as you can.
I hope the following approach might be helpful.

I think about this as a learning process where we examine the internal
and the external sides of the question. In the internal, we look into
our hearts, examine our values, and search our souls regarding who we
are and what we dream of for our children and for our family. During the
external, we read, visit and talk to people; gathering data to learn what
our choices are so that we can find the best match to our internal side.

Internal Soul-Searching

Yourself.
Why are you considering educating your child outside the public school?
What are your concerns? What environment do you feel best addresses these
concerns? How do you think people learn best? Do you basically enjoy being
with your children? What kind of relationship do you have now with your
child? What type of relationships do you want to nourish within your family?
How do you feel about facilitating your children,s learning? Are you willing
to be kind to yourself and your child when things don't go as you expected?
How much time are you willing to devote?

Your child.
Which qualities of your child makes you believe she will
flourish better in one setting over another? What are her strongest learning
styles? What environment will best support these?

The whole family.
How do other members of the family feel about
the different educational options available? Are financial resources a
concern? What about time resources? Are there other children involved
who might be affected by this decision? Are you and your spouse/partner
relatively aligned in your thinking or do you need to do some values work
together? Coming to a decision mutually regarding the basic educational
path for your children is critical to its success.

External Data Gathering

This part is easier though cumbersome. Fortunately, our schooling options
are many. Researching them (public school, alternative public schools,
private schools, charter schools, and homeschooling with its many options;
R-4 affidavit, Independent Study Program, or Correspondence Schooling)
is critical to making an informed choice. Spend your time on the ones
that philosophically suit you the best.

Whatever kinds of schools you are considering spend time in a classroom.
Talk to the teachers and administrators about their methods. Notice their
style. Discuss philosophy. Read their recommendations regarding the philosophy
of the programs that appeal to you. How do you feel in their presence?
How would your child feel? Most schools have introductory nights for prospective
parents between January and March and welcome individual parent inquiries
and observation anytime of year.

Visit homeschooling support groups such as park days, independent study
program sites, coordinators and resource teachers. Most homeschoolers
will wholeheartedly engage in a discussion of their experience if you
make clear your questions and concerns. Several organizations (including
Homefires) offer "Introduction to Homeschooling" presentations
where they cover the basic philosophies, methods, and legal options and
open the floor to questions.

There is no particular order to follow in addressing these concerns but
rather it is like a stew. Add all the information together in your brain
and heart and let it simmer. The best solution for your family will plump
up like a fat tasty dumpling! Our family revisits the educational options
question annually, and we refine our schedule often -- to create the best
life we can. Happy questioning!